Employment History

SuperStar

Coach

I give a lot of credit to Matt [Shell, Burnt Hills coach] and his team.

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Late in the fourth quarter, the Burnt Hills sideline chanted, Coach Shell!Coach Shell!
It was a tribute to its coach and what he has had to overcome in the last few years.

In the Spartans crowd was Jacob Shell, the coachs son, who battled cancer before being declared free of the disease in recent years.
After Sweet Home learned of Jacobs story, it held fundraisers to support Shellstrong, an effort that continues good work today.

Its different with Sweet Home, Matt Shell said. [Jacob] was in the hospital in Boston when we played them [in 2008 and 09].
They were really good to our family over the years, and they had never met him or seen him before.
Im very glad he was able to be here.
Its football, but theres a different side of the whole thing.

The Stevens Student Council coordinated a day of celebration for our SuperStar Jacob Shell in October.
A proud banner hung over our front door, and the students and staff were sporting orange ribbons of support, as well as wristbands and t-shirts.
There was a coin drive at recess, with donations going to the Shell family.
Our Stevens Community often comes together to find ways to assist those in need, and this was our way of showing our heartfelt support for Jacob and his family.

Burnt Hills head coach Matt Shell and son Jacob Shell, 9, arrive on the field for theClass A Super Bowl game against Lansingburgh at Shenendehowa High in Clifton Park Saturday night.

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A year ago Jacob was fighting for his life against cancer in a Boston hospital.
Just adys ago, coach Shell was was pallbearer at the funeral of his mentor and former athletic director. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

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Burnt Hills head coach Matt Shell and his son Jacob, 9, bottom at left, celebrate with their team after winning the Class A Super Bowl game. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

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While Burnt Hills fought for this title last year against Troy, Shell's son Jacob was fighting for his life in a Boston hospital.
The coach spent much of the week away from his team leading up to the game.
The youth, now 9, ended up beating the cancer that had ravaged him; he roamed the sidelines Saturday in a No. 11 jersey.

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And the day after Tuesday's funeral, Shell spoke in Troy at the Coaches vs.
Cancer Basket Ball, where on behalf of his family he accepted a Fighting Spirit Award.

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Jacob asked at the ball, eyeing the scant notes his father cobbled on yellow paper.